Celebrating Caribbean American Heritage and LGBTQ+ Pride Month!

June DEIB Newsletter

Welcome to our first DEIB newsletter!

June embodies the vibrancy of Caribbean culture and the resilience of its people, while also honoring the LGBTQ+ community's strides towards equality and acceptance. As we commemorate Juneteenth, we acknowledge the ongoing fight for racial justice. This newsletter aims to celebrate diversity, foster understanding, and promote inclusivity in our workplaces and communities.

"Be the reason why someone feels included, welcomed, supported, safe, and valued"

-BRITANDCO

Since 2006, June has been recognized as Caribbean American Heritage Month in the United States.

This month-long celebration highlights the diverse cultures and contributions of Caribbean Americans, spanning nations such as Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic (DR), Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, as well as Puerto Rico (PR).

It's an opportunity for communities nationwide to honor their achievements, cultural heritage, and impact on American life, fostering unity and appreciation for Caribbean-American culture.

• LGBTQ+ Pride Month is about celebrating the Stonewall Uprising that occurred in Manhattan in June 1969.
• That uprising was a monumental event that gave birth to the Gay Liberation Movement in the U.S. Today, Pride Month is a time for parties, parades, and picnics that attract millions of people worldwide.
• It is also a time to remember those we have lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The month's goal is to honor the important role LGBTQ+ people have played in history, both locally and globally.

Explore the impactful voices and trailblazers from both the Caribbean-American and LGBTQ+ communities

Welcome to our Juneteenth tribute!

Join us as we honor the end of slavery in the United States on June 19th, 1865. Through reflection and celebration, we commemorate the resilience of African American communities and the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice.

• Historical Context: On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of slavery, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
• Emancipation Announcement: General Granger's arrival enforced the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas, officially freeing enslaved people.
• Celebration and Symbolism: Known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, Juneteenth is celebrated with community gatherings, festivals, parades, and educational events, symbolizing the end of slavery in the United States and the ongoing quest for equality.
• Cultural Significance: Juneteenth serves as a day of remembrance, reflection, and celebration of African American heritage, resilience, and freedom.
• National Recognition: While traditionally celebrated by African American communities, Juneteenth gained national recognition as efforts were made to establish it as a federal holiday, highlighting the importance of acknowledging the nation's history of slavery and racial injustice.

Every year on June 27th, we celebrate Helen Keller Day, honoring the incredible achievements and enduring legacy of Helen Keller, a pioneer for people with dis-ABILITIES.

Despite being deaf and blind, Helen Keller overcame immense challenges to become an influential author, activist, and advocate for disability rights. Her story is a powerful reminder of the potential within each of us to overcome obstacles and make a difference.

As we honor her legacy, let's empower and support our community members with dis-ABILITIES, recognizing their strength, resilience, and contributions to our shared world. Together, we can build a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

"All cassava get same skin but all nah taste same way"

- Caribbean Proverb

Due to the unlimited amount of food and recipes, Bridgewell encourages our employees to embrace and share our cultures...

We tried our best to fit many recipes :)

Stay curious!

Rice And Beans

Slow Cooker Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken

Roast Beef Caribbean Style

Slow Cooker Caribbean Chicken

Bacon Cheeseburger with Caramelized Tomato and Onion Jam

Red Velvet Lover Sweets

Chokola Ayisyen (Haitian Hot Chocolate)

Los Tres Golpes con Mangú (DR Breakfast)

• Jamaica's Flavor (Jamaican) - Lynn
• Address: 121 Pleasant St, Lynn, MA 01901
• Cafe El Molino Restaurant (Caribbean) - Lynn
• Address: 937 Western Ave, Lynn, MA 01905
• La Posada Restaurant & Tequila Bar (LGBTQ+ owned business) - Somerville
• Address: 505 Medford St Somerville, MA 02145
• J&R Restaurant and Bakery (Haitian) - Malden
• Address: 188 Salem St, Malden, MA 02148
• Brothers Kafe Kreyol (Haitian) - Everett
• Address: 299 Main St, Everett, MA 02149
• DAKZEN (LGBTQ+ owned business) - Somerville
• Address: 195 Elm St Somerville, MA 02144
• Sunrise Cuisine (Haitian) - Medford
• Address: 285 Middlesex Ave, Medford, MA 02155
• Caribe Restaurant Express (Dominican) - Peabody
• Address: 145 Summit St, Peabody, MA 01960
• The Island Caribbean Cuisine and Drink (Haitian) - Malden
• Address: 118 Ferry St, Malden, MA 02148
• Punta Cana Dominican Restaurant (Dominican) - Beverly
• Address: 342 Rantoul St, Beverly, MA 01915

These sections were only highlighting some of the unique events happening this month, if you would like to have more resources please visit our Linktree!

Welcome to the first edition of our diversity newsletter, part of the DEIB initiative! As our employees are extremely diverse, we aim to be able to support and empower you all further through movements like this.

This series celebrates, respects, and acknowledges our incredibly diverse employees. We encourage you to share your comments, ideas, and suggestions about our initiatives. All feedback is welcome!